Gohan’s Power Decline and Return in Dragon Ball Super
Gohan, the half-Saiyan son of Goku, has always been a character defined by immense potential, often overshadowed by his explosive transformations. From his explosive rage against Raditz to his ultimate form during the Cell Games, Gohan’s power has typically been associated with unleashing his Saiyan heritage. However, after the Cell Saga, a shift occurred. Gohan’s priorities drifted toward academics, resulting in a decline in his fighting prowess and causing many fans to lament his diminished role as a warrior. This perception largely continued until Dragon Ball Super. Now, *Dragon Ball Super* and the spin-off series *Dragon Ball Heroes* have worked to redeem Gohan, emphasizing the strategic value and latent power residing within his base form. While often disregarded, Gohan’s base form represents a core element of his character, showcasing his intellect, his dedication, and a unique approach to combat. These series, in their own ways, demonstrate that Gohan’s strength doesn’t solely rely on Saiyan transformations, but on a calculated and refined base form that is a force to be reckoned with. This article explores how *Dragon Ball Super* and *Dragon Ball Heroes* have revitalized Gohan’s base, offering new perspectives on the underestimated powerhouse.
Following the defeat of Cell, Gohan turned his focus towards intellectual pursuits, burying himself in books and leaving behind the rigors of training. This transition from warrior to scholar had a significant impact on his power level. He became complacent, and his fighting skills atrophied. The events of the Resurrection ‘F’ arc served as a stark reminder of how far he had fallen, struggling against opponents that were far below the power levels he once effortlessly surpassed. The once formidable Gohan was now struggling against the resurrected Frieza Force soldiers. This portrayal drew criticism from fans who felt that Gohan’s potential was being squandered, turning him into a weaker shadow of his former self.
However, the Tournament of Power marked a turning point for Gohan. Facing the threat of universal erasure, he reignited his fighting spirit and renewed his commitment to protecting his family and his universe. This time, instead of chasing after ever-greater transformations, Gohan decided to focus on mastering his base form, understanding it to be the most sustainable source of power and consistent point of control. His training with Piccolo once again became crucial, emphasizing not just raw strength, but also technique, strategy, and synergy with his teammates. Piccolo challenged him to break past his reliance on Super Saiyan transformations and instead draw forth the untapped potential residing within his core self.
During the Tournament of Power, Gohan’s strategic prowess shone brightly. He became a crucial member of Team Universe Seven, utilizing his intelligence and analytical skills to assess his opponents’ weaknesses and devise effective strategies. He wasn’t just a brute force attacker; he was a calculated warrior who could adapt to different situations and support his teammates. His fight alongside Goku against Universe Eleven exemplified this, showing their deep understanding and synchronization of attacks, an element often neglected in other Saiyan pairings who prioritized solo combat. While Goku would launch barrages of attacks, Gohan would strategically set up a plan for the team, or support his teammates during their individual matchups, such as when helping Piccolo stay in the match against the Namekian Saonel. Throughout the tournament, Gohan proved that he no longer needed to rely solely on transformations to be a valuable asset, mastering his base and using his knowledge to support the team.
Now, while the Beast Gohan transformation is a tremendous leap in power, it is important to remember that this peak of power can only be achieved by having a strong base form to work from. This transformation is a testament to his dedication to mastering all aspects of himself, both his intellectual and his warrior spirit. By focusing on understanding the importance of his base form, Gohan was able to reach new heights.
Gohan’s Base Form in Dragon Ball Heroes
It is important to remember that *Dragon Ball Heroes* occupies a unique space within the *Dragon Ball* multiverse. Operating as a non-canonical spin-off, *Heroes* has its own distinct power scaling system, often surpassing the established limitations of the main timeline. Within this expanded universe, even “base form” takes on a relative meaning, frequently demonstrating levels of power far exceeding what’s witnessed within the canon *Dragon Ball Super* universe.
In *Dragon Ball Heroes*, Gohan’s base form becomes a playground for incredible feats and abilities. He demonstrates capabilities beyond what is seen in Dragon Ball Super. While transformations continue to play a role, his base form becomes a staging ground for unique power-ups and techniques that differentiate him from his peers. For example, Gohan’s base form in *Heroes* has often been shown absorbing energy from his opponents, effectively turning their attacks against them. This ability, not explicitly displayed within the canonical timeline, adds a strategic depth to his base form, allowing him to withstand powerful assaults and retaliate with amplified force. Some *Heroes* cards depict Gohan utilizing unique techniques, such as energy barriers, psychic abilities, or even manipulating time, all stemming from the potential within his base form. Many of these abilities have not been seen in the main story, but still emphasize Gohan’s unique set of skills.
Furthermore, *Heroes* often introduces unique “hero” forms or abilities that amplify Gohan’s base strength. These enhancements, distinct from the traditional Super Saiyan transformations, focus on optimizing his existing capabilities and augmenting his innate power. These powers include the ability to use key swords, new ki techniques, or new fighting stances to show just how powerful Gohan can be. Gohan is also often showcased as a leader, taking command of battles and strategies, even without the need for transformations.
*Dragon Ball Heroes* frequently positions Gohan as a support character, leveraging his intellect and strategic mindset to benefit his allies. Even within his base form, he analyzes battles, identifies enemy weaknesses, and devises plans that turn the tide of combat. While he is always ready to step onto the battlefield, Gohan in *Heroes* demonstrates he can be just as effective from the sidelines, supporting his allies and ensuring their success. This strategic role is further amplified by how Gohan is portrayed in the Hero missions, often taking on the role of leader during missions and battles.
Comparison and Contrast
Both *Dragon Ball Super* and *Dragon Ball Heroes* contribute to the revitalization of Gohan’s base form, offering unique, yet complementary perspectives on his character. They both consistently highlight Gohan’s intelligence, strategic capabilities, and commitment to teamwork, illustrating that he is more than just a powerful Saiyan. He is a warrior who utilizes his intellect to assess situations, devise strategies, and support his teammates, making him a valuable asset in any battle, regardless of his transformation state. Furthermore, both emphasize his role as a protector, driven by a deep desire to safeguard his family and the Earth from harm.
Despite these similarities, several key differences separate the portrayal of Gohan’s base form in *Dragon Ball Super* and *Dragon Ball Heroes*. The most striking difference lies in their respective power scales. *Dragon Ball Heroes*, as a non-canonical spin-off, operates on a vastly different power level compared to *Dragon Ball Super*. What is considered a feat of strength in *Super* might be a minor accomplishment in *Heroes*. The non-canonical nature of *Heroes* enables it to freely explore Gohan’s base form potential without being constrained by the established limits of the main timeline, leading to more exaggerated and imaginative displays of power. In *Dragon Ball Super*, Gohan’s power level is comparatively grounded, reflecting the more serious and consistent tone of the series. In contrast, *Heroes* often embraces a more lighthearted and fantastical approach, allowing for greater experimentation with Gohan’s abilities. While Super showcases a reasonable display of Gohan’s capabilities, Heroes takes it to the extreme.
The Significance of Gohan’s Base Form
The revitalized focus on Gohan’s base form allows for a deeper exploration of his character, moving beyond the simplistic portrayal of him as a Saiyan warrior defined solely by his transformations. This emphasis on his base form enables the writers to delve into the complexities of his personality, highlighting his intelligence, his compassion, and his unwavering dedication to his family. Gohan’s base form becomes a representation of his core values, showcasing his commitment to protecting those he loves through both physical strength and intellectual prowess.
Gohan’s internal conflict between his warrior duties and his desire for a peaceful life, as well as his struggles to find the right balance, make him a more relatable character. Many fans appreciate that he isn’t simply driven by a thirst for battle like other Saiyans, but has a deep-seated desire for peace and understanding, but is also willing to fight for what he cares about. His base form, representing his humanity and his intellectual side, becomes a symbol of his unique perspective, resonating with fans who appreciate his nuanced character.
The focus on Gohan’s base form showcases the potential for it to evolve further, and emphasizes the importance for new fighters to train in that base form as well. By emphasizing his intelligence and battle prowess, Gohan’s base form has solidified itself as a unique source of power and has transformed him from simply a copy of Goku, to his own unique fighter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the revitalization of Gohan’s base form in *Dragon Ball Super* and *Dragon Ball Heroes* represents a significant and welcome development for the character. They have challenged the perception that his strength solely relies on Saiyan transformations, showcasing the hidden potential residing within his core self. While *Dragon Ball Super* re-established his strategic fighting style, *Dragon Ball Heroes* shows the potential of the fighter in non-canon material, Gohan’s character has been emphasized more and more as a unique fighter, and this all culminates in what is Gohan’s Beast form. This has solidified Gohan as more than just a powerful fighter, but instead a strategic planner with the power to take down anyone in the universe. What do you think of this development? Share your thoughts on Gohan’s base form and his evolution in the comments below!
